Church in Zaandam back into use

It is not often anymore, but the Old Catholic parish in Zaandam will again use the Mary Magdalene church. The organ was restored and the interior renovated.
Since the merger of two parishes in 1978, the church in Zaandam was no longer in use as a parish. But the parish board of Krommenie believes that at least once a month Mass can be held for parishioners interested in Zaandam. These churches are courageous for attempting this expansion at this difficult time.


History
After the reformation in 1574, Catholics were no longer allowed to go to church in their familiar St. Mary Magdalen Church. This church was stripped of its altar and its images.The church was like any other Catholic churches in the state church of the Reformed or Calvinists.
It lasted until 1630 when a priest from Purmerend came to Zaandam on the calf farm in a remote place where he could keep his services. This is quite late compared Krommenie where this took place in 1612 on a similar farm.
A small church was built in 1652. A real and larger church was only built in 1695 at the Jacob Dirkxpad. There was a lot of pressure not to have this church  but it was still allowed. Here one can hardly speak of clandestine church.
In 1725 the building after some struggles by the mayor and elders assigned the church to the Roman Catholic Bishops of the Old Clergy, who later were called  Old Catholics. It was not until 1798 that religious freedom was guaranteed.
In 1806 the gallery has been removed and the organ was transferred in 1809 from the then closed hidden churches.
The Zaandam Mary Magdalene parish in 1978 merged with the parish of St. Nikolaus of Krommenie.
This church has not been back in use because of its state of dilapidation, and there was a plan to demolish the church and a new building to put there. By matter of Conservation and several charitable organizations, this building has been saved.
The church space is difficult to describe, one must in its serenity and stillness, experience its beauty with its antique furniture and paintings.